JZIP - Infocom Z-code Interpreter Program V2.0.1g ----------------------------------------------------- Author: John Holder (jholder@nmsu.edu) Based on sources by Mark Howell & Olaf 'Olsen' Barthel Release: 19-November-1995 This file contains a history of changes to the code base of JZIP. ****************************************************** FULL DOCUMENTATION IS IN THE FILE manual.txt ****************************************************** new features in 2.0.1a: JZIP is an unofficial compile of Mark Howell's ZIP interpreter. Mark has not endorsed this compile, and I haven't asked him to. JZIP uses ZIP's version 2.0 sources as a base. JZIP changes ZIP in the following ways: on UNIX platforms: - Correct handling of the form in Infocom's Bureaucracy - new random function, called zip_random, that generates numbers that are much more random. The original random function still works best in DOS, and for now I assume on other platforms as well. The new one is only compiled in on UNIX platforms. on all platforms: - The interpreter can now play Inform V8 games, as described by Graham Nelson in Inform 5.5 beta's documentation. This feature has been tested and it works. new features in JZIP 2.0.1d: - JZIP properly understand what game you are playing and will "automagically" name your save games files, script files, and record files appropriately. (ie. if you are playing zork1.dat, your save file is zork1.sav, script file is zork1.scr, and record file is zork1.rec) - The Borland DOS compile now supports color or monochrome mode with the -m command line option. - JZIP now properly prints menus on the DOS compile. Thanks for noticing the problem & sending in the fix to Andrew Benham. (A.D.S.Benham@bnr.co.uk) new features in JZIP 2.0.1e: - JZIP's UNIX distribution is now even more portable! Some problems with SunOS HP-UX, and Irix have been resolved, all thanks to Mark Phillips (msp@bnr.co.uk). As you port JZIP to different versions of UNIX, please tell me what platform and version of UNIX you are running, and send me a copy of your makefile so I can document it. (WANTED: Ultrix & FreeBSD compile instructions, since I have no access to either...) - JZIP save files are now PORTABLE between big-endian and little- endian machines! Once again, thanks to Mark Phillips! Now you can play at home on your PC, upload your save file to work, and play on your lunch hour! (Note: The 27-sept-1995 release had a typo in the code & this didn't work! Sorry!) *** NOTE *** This feature has the effect of making old save game file incompatible on some machines... like Intel 80x86 boxes. If you are desperate to update these files, let me know and I will write a short C program that will update your save game files... new features in JZIP 2.0.1f: - JZIP now supports a default set of paths where it will look for a game file if it isn't in the current directory. Set the environment variable INFOCOM_PATH to the directory or list of directories that contain your Zcode story files. For example: UNIX: setenv INFOCOM_PATH /usr/games/zfiles/:/usr/jholder/zfiles DOS: set INFOCOM_PATH=d:\infocom\ltoi1;d:\infocom\ltoi2; Suggested by Michael Phillips, (msphil@aardvark.cc.wm.edu). - JZIP has a manpage! Written by Michael Phillips, I will edit and maintain it from now on. Thanks, Mike! - UNIX versions no longer die a horrible death and dump core, cause bus errors, or put the screen in an incorrect mode when attempting to run an invalid file. new features in JZIP 2.0.1g: - John Menichelli(menichel@pixi.com) has added text editing features and a command history to bccio.c (the Borland DOS interface). Thanks, John! - With some termcap hacking and John Menichelli's code, I added text editing and command history functionality to the UNIX ports of JZIP. - At the moment, the DOS and UNIX versions now have the correct timed read key interval of 1/10th of a second, instead of the 1 second interval that used to be there. - Dancer (dancer@gateway1.brisnet.org.au) has added an Atari ST port of JZIP to the distribution. He has also got the command history and editing features working. If you have problems with this port, contact him. Better documentation is in atari.txt. - You now can create standalone DOS executable files with Magnus Olsson's utility JZexe, which he has kindly added to the Jzip distribution. fixes in release 2.0.1g, 5-Dec-1995: - fixed silly error I introduced in osdepend.c (the set_colours bug) - fixed extra include in fileio.c (string.h doesn't need double inclusion) - fixed "magic" declaration that caused problems with jzexe.c on RISC boxen. Credit where credit is due: Many patches were invented by readers of the Usenet group rec.arts.int-fiction, if you like this version, thank them - they are the unsung heros. Patches by: Andrew S. Benham (A.D.S.Benham@bnr.co.uk) - menu fix for BC & TC Dancer (dancer@gateway1.brisnet.org.au) - Atari ST port (MiNT) John Menichelli (menichel@pixi.com) - Command history and editing. Yay!!!! Magnus Olsson (mol@df.lth.se) - standalone DOS executables (that can still be played by Jzip on other platforms!!!) Mark Phillips (msp@bnr.co.uk) - SunOS 4.1.3 & HPUX patch - Portable save game files Michael Phillips (msphil@aardvark.cc.wm.edu) - INFOCOM_PATH code - man page Features in the works: - adding "make install" to the UNIX version to install the man page and jzip into systemwide directories. - On UNIX versions, I have been asked to handle CTRL chars, like CTRL-D ends the session, a standard UNIX response. Even if I don't add the functionality of CTRL chars, I will intercept them so them are NOT passed on to the interpreter. - Meeting the full requirements of the Zmachine specification. - for DOS: a reworked interface, with real underlining, and nice anti-aliased characters. (Not real soon, tho.)